The canton of Neuchâtel voted for a moratorium on oil drilling

On Wednesday The Grand Council of Neuchâtel accepted a 10-year moratorium on oil, natural gas and shale gas drilling projects.

Neuchâtel is the first Swiss canton to adopt a ten-year moratorium on all oil drilling on its entire territory. On Wednesday The Grand Council voted a bill by 73 votes and 35 were opposing and one abstention.

Oil and gas
The moratorium is on oil and natural gas. It concerns both explorations and exploitation. This text was concocted by the Committee on Petitions and Pardons. It responds to a petition of over 10,000 signatures for a moratorium over Val-de-Travers, in the context of drilling planned by the British Celtic Energy Group.